EXTENDED EDITION




 

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Photo: Summer Earle
 Editor-In-Chief: Lauren Fuller
Designer: Benjamin Shadden
Assistant Editor: IMC Director:
Summer Earle Dr. Amy Jones
Welcome to the 5th edition of ZONE magazine. I am
grateful for the opportunity to work with the incredible
staff and produce this project. This magazine includes
Videographer: Faculty Advisor:
only a few of the many people who work hard to make Caleb James Smith Mr. Greg Jones
UWA Athletics an outstanding program. My goal is to
highlight the individual programs while also learning
and growing with my peers. ZONE Staff: Faculty Video
The ZONE staff is a collective group of talented Abby Fuller Advisor:
IMC students who wrote stories, designed layouts,
performed interviews, sold advertisements and shot Olivia Turner Mr. Brandon Walker
photos that allowed the production of this magazine. Sarah Wright
Working with the ZONE staff provided an incredible
learning experience and created memories that we
Christian Malone Faculty Editors:
will hold onto forever. I enjoyed leading others and Max Potts Mr. Caleb Walters
watching their skills grow throughout the entirety of Kimberly Clark
the project.
Dr. Tina Jones
COVID-19 may have postponed games at UWA but Mason Pendergrass
the presence of athletics remains evident throughout
the campus. This year, we included a video to allow
our athletes to be seen and heard from again. Photographers:
The ZONE staff and I hold pride in this project; how- Joe Chance Gary B Garmon
ever, we could not have succeeded without the love Trent Spruell Betsy Compton
and support shown from our IMC family. I show enor-
mous gratitude to Mr. Greg Jones, Dr. Amy Jones, Mr. Colby White Roger Davis
Caleb Walters, Dr. Tina Jones, Mr. Brandon Walker and Ashley Boothe Kacy Nolan
Mrs. Amanda Gilliland.
Demetrius Battle Kamree Lay
The ZONE staff and I hope you, the reader, enjoy
the entirety of this magazine, and we hope to proudly Christian Kennedy Ryan Branch
represent UWA Athletics and the dedicated individuals
who make all of this possible.

Lauren Fuller
UWA Senior
IMC
ZONE is published annually by students in the University of West Alabama Integrated Marketing Communications program. Stories
and photographs that appear in ZONE are produced by these students. Views expressed in the magazine do not necessarily express
the views of the University of West Alabama. The University of West Alabama is an Equal Opportunity Institution and welcomes appli-
cation for employment regardless of race, color, age, sex, disability or ethnic origin.
4 Goal to Serve by Abby Fuller

6 Sprint to the Finish by Caleb James Smith

8 Called to Coach by Mason Pendergrass

10 This Duo is for Hazing by Sarah Wright

12 Out of Left Field by Abby Fuller

14 Rolling Out the Red Turf by Kimberly Clark

16 Three for Three by Sarah Wright
18 Big Paws to Fill by Olivia Turner
20 Overcoming the Tackle by Christian Malone

22 Student Before Athlete by Caleb James Smith

26 Twirling Through Tribulation by Summer Earle

29 The Game Changer by Sarah Wright

30 Life of a Tiger by Kimberly Clark

32 Serves Heard Around the World by Summer Earle

34 A Grand Slam by Max Potts

36 Ripping Lips and Taking Names by Sarah Wright

38 The Best of Both Worlds by Summer Earle

40 Rising Above the Competition by Christian Malone

42 The Wild Card by Lauren Fuller

43 Football’s Secret Weapon by Max Potts

44 The Curveball by Olivia Turner

47 The Invisible Hurdle by Olivia Turner

48 On the Hunt by Abby Fuller

51 Tigers Got Talent by Summer Earle

3
 By: Abby Fuller

Photos: Joe Chance

passionate about and volunteer for the organization

chosen. “If one of the girls has something that they

T
he University of West Alabama’s women’s soc- want to volunteer for, we will make it a team effort and
cer team stays active throughout the commu- all volunteer for the event,” said Orr.
nity. These ladies show out not only on the A few of the players base their volunteering on their
field, but also within the community. major. The girls who want to become coaches find
In the 2018-19 season, the women’s soccer joy in volunteering at the University Charter
team collectively volunteered for 244 School. Last spring, the team spent a few
days teaching soccer skills to the chil-
“Coach has always
hours of community service, including
reading to the campus school, partic- dren at the charter school. “Soccer is
ipating in the UCS Color Run, dog taught us to live through our passion, so helping the charter
walking and more. new experiences and create school with some skills was a fun
and interactive way for us to give
Women’s Soccer Head Coach
Graeme Orr said, “The required
memories because those are back, while also doing something
amount of volunteer hours for each the things you shall learn from we love,” said Forrest. This particu-
girl is 12 per semester. Six hours and cherish for the rest of lar event allows the girls to not only
with the team and six hours on their teach skills to the kids but also share
own.” Orr strives to increase the team your life.” their love and passion for the game.
activity throughout the city of Livingston. School and athletics take up most of
Team captain Brianna Forrest said, “Since I the time in the day, but the team somehow
was a freshman, women’s soccer has been involved manages to balance classes, soccer, social life and
in countless volunteering experiences. We live in a volunteering. Workouts do not stop in the offseason
small town, so making these connections with locals and neither does the community service.
and peers can really make this place feel more like Around Christmas, the team gives back to the chil-
home.” dren of Livingston by participating in Toys for Tigers, a
Orr tells the team to pick something that they are program that arose from student athletes who wanted
to give toys to the children in the community. “Toys
for Tigers was an amazing way for us to be able to
come together as not only a team but a family and to
help make a positive difference in the community,”
In 2010, Graeme Orr built the UWA women’s
said Forrest.
soccer team completely from scratch. In college,
Not only does the team volunteer for the children of he knew soccer needed to remain in his life. “You
the community, but they also give back to the elderly have to find a way to stay involved. Influencing the
in the county. Christmas caroling creates a fun expe- game and sharing your experience with players
rience for both the carolers and their audience. Last is the best way to do that,” said Orr.
year, the team visited a local nursing home to spread
Orr moved from Scotland to the U.S. to begin
love by singing carols to them.
his collegiate playing career in 2003 at Martin
The girls also volunteer for the city itself, not just Methodist College. After his graduation, Orr spent
the people in the city. Around the town of Livingston, time working at college soccer camps and earned
some of the fire hydrants have faded. When needed, his master’s degree.
the team travels around Livingston and paints these
The opportunity to create this program origi-
hydrants to create a safer environment for the com-
nated from EJ Brophy, UWA’s athletic director at
munity.
that time. Brophy contacted Orr with the chance
The team has been volunteering for several years, to create the program from nothing, and Orr never
and even former players continue to help their com- looked back. “I am forever grateful that he gave
munity. “Within the past ten years, we’ve gotten tons me the opportunity and believed in my ambi-
of hours, and the team bond gets tighter each time,” tions,” said Orr.
said Orr.
Since the program was created, Orr allowed
“I feel like the team benefits a lot from volunteering. many student-athletes a chance to earn a degree
I hope that the girls continue to volunteer after they and play the sport they love. He yearned for a pro-
leave here, and possibly become a better person from gram that would increase sports on campus, and
volunteering,” said Orr. create better athletes, physically and personally.
Orr focuses on helping better the team in soccer Orr believes in character-building, and he
and life. “Coach has always taught us to live through pushes his players to be better on and off the
new experiences and create memories because those field.
are the things you shall learn from and cherish for the
rest of your life,” said Forrest.

5
 By: Caleb James Smith

“I
do what I have to do, until the task is com-
plete,” Nate Sanford, senior sprinter for the
UWA track team plans to end his track career
like he started, with a record-breaking run in his spe-
cialty, the 400-meter race.
Sanford started running his sophomore year of high
school and became a ten-time state medalist, three
of them being gold medals, by his senior year. As a
freshman at UWA, Sanford came out of the gate with
a record-breaking 400-meter sprint at 48.65 seconds.
“Nate was overlooked by many teams, but I recruited
him. Actually, he reached out to me and I thought,
‘Okay, he doesn’t have the proper training, but he has
a lot he could bring to the team,’” said Head Track
Coach Kirby Patterson Walker.
During the next week’s meet at Mississippi State, he
beat the new school record, his record, again. He ran
a 48.12 second race in the 400-meter, placed fourth
overall and was the only freshman to place in the top
five for the meet. The second time he broke his record
was shortly after he sustained an injury.
The record-breaking freshman suffered from a minor
sports hernia after an average run at practice one day
before the meet at Mississippi State. According to
Johns Hopkins Medicine, sports hernias are typically
caused by repetitive motions that require twisting of
the pelvis, and the soft tissues that perform these
movements found in the lower abdomen area are most
often torn or injured.
 “I want to give everything I have. I
do not want to have anything left
in me. All effort, all energy, GONE,
by the end of the last race.”

Photos: Caleb James Smith

Despite the painful injury, Sanford managed to run Sanford said the team works hard at practice so that
the race at the next meet, and he shaved off .53 sec- when the real race comes, it is just a walk in the park.
onds from his earlier record-breaking run. He received Normal practice is not the only training method he
a steroid/cortisone injection later that semester and uses though. He trains in the way he eats, in the way
used his sophomore year at UWA to regain his strength. he sleeps and in the way he breathes, all to better
himself and to beat his current record of 48.12 for
“You have to do your best in anything the 400-meter.
you do and understand we’re created “It will be hard work, but he is definitely capable of
for a purpose,” said Sanford. doing it,” said Patterson-Walker.
Sanford’s goal is to shave off a few seconds and run
His faith was a defining factor as to why he continued anything under a 46.00 second race by the end of
to run after being injured. Sanford’s biggest hope is the spring season. If he beats his record quickly, then
to teach in ministry and preach the gospel once he who knows? He could shoot for the world record for
graduates in the spring. He believes the 400-meter race the 400-meter, which is 43.03 seconds. No matter the
perfectly represents his walk with Christ, and he will outcome, Sanford focuses on the finish line, running
do what it takes to win, no matter the circumstances. to earn his reward.
Sanford is inspired by 1 Corinthians 9:24, where the
Apostle Paul writes, “Do you not know that in a race
all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run
in such a way as to get the prize.”
Now Nathan Sanford prepares to beat his old record
in his final season as a senior. The track team is training
differently this year, in smaller groups and at separate
times, but at the same intensity.
“I like working with Nate. He pushes me to do better,
so I can push him to do better. We work hard but have
fun as well, especially since Nate is a team captain and
my hall director,” said Jailah Swain, a fellow sprinter
for the UWA track team.

7
 By: Mason Pendergrass

Hilary Lobenstein participated with the UWA volleyball team for two seasons.
After she proved herself as a player, she became the UWA Graduate Assistant Head
Coach from 2012-14. Five years later, she was welcomed back to UWA as the Head
Coach, bringing not only her experience as a coach, but a love for the sport and
for the school where she got her start.

Chanel Davis graduated from UWA in 2014, and soon after she was made Assistant
Volleyball Coach at West Virginia Wesleyan College. In 2019, she took Head Coach
position at Winston-Salem State University in North Carolina, leading the team to
an overall of 17-10 and 13-4 in CIAA Conference play. Davis continues to lead her
team to victories.

Angela Sanders graduated from UWA in 2013. Soon after her graduation, she
was picked by Demopolis Middle School and is now the head coach for Demop-
olis High School varsity and junior varsity volleyball teams. It may have been hard C

overseeing 26 players, spread between both a Varsity and Junior Varsity team, but M

Angela stepped up to the challenge.

Y

CM

MY

CY

CMY

Callie Murphy participated with the UWA volleyball team for four years. After her K

graduation, she began her career working in Sports Information and Athletic Digital
Media. Murphy is now the Assistant Coach for the Cedarville University volleyball
team and she owns Triple C, a personal company that creates custom t-shirt designs
for teams and clubs. Murphy continues to leave her legacy in the athletics world.

Photos: UWA Athletics

 MarketPlace2.pdf 1 9/25/20 12:38 PM

Livingston
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7AM-9PM 1303 N WASHINGTON ST
 By: Sarah Wright

H
azing is for horses, not humans. This The art of steer wrestling involves two horses,
hazing does not exist in a stereotypical two cowboys, and one steer. The hazer is cornered
fraternity house, but instead under the on the right side of the shoot, and the bulldogger, on
glowing arena lights with horses, steers, cowboys and the left, anxiously awaits for the steer to be released
cowgirls. from the shoot.
JT Ellison, a junior, started his career on the Univer- With nothing but open dirt, it’s the cowboys’ and
sity of West Alabama’s rodeo team as a steer wrestler. their horses’ jobs to successfully wrestle the steer down
His horse, Wily, is a 14-year-old palomino. Together, in record time.
they travel the country to claim steer wrestling titles. This dynamic duo collaborates together to lead a
“It’s strange because Wily and JT steer straight. Whenever the steer emerges from the
shoot, the bulldogger hops off his horse and wres-
have similar personalities. They are tles the steer down into the red dirt. UWA Wrangler,
always cool, calm and collected no mat- Ryder Ladner said, “Hazing is a small part of a big
machine. The bulldogger places their whole run into
ter the situation. You can always rely your hands.”
on both of them to get the job done.” Steers do not naturally run straight ahead, espe-
- Teammate, Cody Stubbs cially when not one, but two horses are chasing it. A
quality hazing horse comes in handy, and the wrangler
This talent of hazing and bulldogging did not must fully trust his horse to get the job done correctly.
come naturally to Ellison. Instead, he worked on his Acquiring the right horse remains the most crucial
technique nearly all of his life. aspect for success.
Another challenge arises if the horse and the wran-
gler are not prepared, and this increases the wranglers’
possibility of injury. Fortunately, Ellison spends count-
less hours preparing for weekends filled with wrestling
and hazing cattle.
Wily and Ellison understand both sides of steer
wrestling. This creates an advantage when they face
the event head-on.
On a typical rodeo night, many see Wily with his
head held high and his eyes focused on the steer. His
tack proudly displays “Horse of the Year” on his chest.
On top of the decorated horse sits none other than
Ellison. Both acquired successful careers and earned
winning titles in steer wrestling.
 In 2018, Ellison won Champion Alabama High School a smile on his face. Even if he was run over by the
Rodeo Association All-Around Cowboy. In that same biggest calf, he was going to come up with a smile.”
year, Wily won Horse of the Year, not to mention the Now, Ellison majors in Cell and Molecular Biology.
titles Ellison’s other three horses carry. When he is not in a lab, he spends his time practicing
In July of 2019 alone, Ellison and Wily won first place on the rich red dirt at UWA’s arena in hopes to win
in steer wrestling in Tuscaloosa, AL, second place in another rodeo.
Ashland, AL, and placed in the finals in Philadelphia, After graduating from UWA, he plans to follow in
MS. his mother’s footsteps and become a veterinarian. Of
Wily may look like the average horse; however, he course, his horse Wily will be along for the ride.
works just as hard to maintain his reputation.

“He probably has traveled more miles

than most of the college students at
UWA.”
Ellison acquired Wily in 2015. Since then, Wily
travels with Ellison to places like Rock Springs, WY,
Huntsville, TX, Shawnee, OK, and Tallahassee, FL.
Along with Wily, Ellison’s parents also travel to
rodeos all across the country. During his childhood,
Ellison’s parents both remained active in rodeo, and
taught him the ins and outs. On the Ellison Ranch, he
started training to ride sheep in rodeos at 5-years-old.
His mother, Rhonda Ellison, who is still active in
breakaway roping, said, “Growing up, he always had Photos: Colby White

11
 By: Abby Fuller

A “Ultimately, I chose to end my playing

fter a 14-month-long journey, Brock
Ward defeated cancer. He overcame
his illness and worked to fulfill his career and begin the process of fight-
dreams of becoming a collegiate level base- ing the biggest battle of my life.”
ball coach.
Ward finished his last treatment with St. Jude in
Ward started his baseball career at The University July of 2016. After Ward was diagnosed, he began
of West Alabama in 2014 as a junior relief pitcher. He to change his perspective on life. “It allowed me to
later graduated in May of 2015 with a Sport Manage- see how quick things can change in life and with your
ment degree. Four days after his graduation, Ward health. It changed my priorities in my life and made
was diagnosed with Ewing’s Sarcoma, a rare juvenile me realize that tomorrow is not promised,” said Ward.
bone cancer.
Before he graduated, Ward dreamed of becoming
“I went from winning a GSC Conference Champion- a collegiate baseball pitching coach. Ward changed
ship and preparing with my team for an NCAA Regional from being the pitcher to coaching the pitchers. “The
to finding out I had cancer. Having to decide whether transition from being a player to becoming a coach
to continue playing or start the battle against cancer obviously has its challenges, but I thought the transition
was such a difficult decision because it was my senior was very smooth for me,” said Ward.
year,” said Ward.
Ward embarked on his coaching
career as an assistant coach for The
University of West Alabama baseball
team. “I think having the opportu-
nity to begin my coaching career
with a coaching staff that had a lot
of experience allowed me to learn
and broaden my knowledge of the
game very quickly,” said Ward. He
stayed at UWA for three years, then
accepted a coaching position for the
Photo: Joe Chance

University of West Florida; however,

he soon returned to where his career
first began.
When Ward was offered the pitch-
ing coach position for the UWA
baseball team, he knew then that
his dreams were coming true. “I was
excited to return to UWA when I was
given the opportunity,” said Ward.
Photo: Ashley Boothe

Ward accepted the position of pitching coach for West of an illness, serious injury or an unexpected problem
Alabama in January of 2020. that a player worked hard and persevered through
during the season.“Just like Brock did during his jour-
“I wanted to come back to UWA to ney to battle cancer to be able to live a long pros-
coach because it has always felt like perous life, our award winner has done something to
home to me.” get back and be able to play the game they love so
dearly,” said Rundles.
For Ward, the West Alabama baseball community Ward said, “I am definitely honored to have an award
is family. They, with the rest of Livingston, were there named after me. I am touched that the administration
for Ward when he needed it the most. “UWA is such a thought enough of me and my battle to put my name
special place not only for me but for my family as well. on this award. I am truly blessed to be a part of such
The support that I was given during my battle, not only a great university, athletic department and baseball
from Coach Rundles and the baseball program but program.”
from the University and the community in Livingston, The baseball program represents exactly what the
was incredible,” said Ward. coaches strive for in a player. “We feel that athletics
Throughout his journey, the West Alabama base- is a great avenue to prepare a person for the chal-
ball coaches created the “Brock Ward Perseverance lenges of life. All the struggles an athlete faces each
Award.” day to overcome many negative obstacles, injuries
“We decided to create the award to honor one of and general failure in their sport are also courageous
our own for his courageous and hard-fought battle to and difficult to achieve,” said Rundles.
overcome the dreaded disease of cancer,” said head Ward continues to act as living proof that athletes
coach Gary Rundles. can bounce back from any obstacle. He shares his
This award goes out to the player(s) who have over- experience, and hopes to change many lives through
come adversity throughout the year. This could consist his coaching career.

13
 Photo: Christian Kennedy

ROLLING OUT
THE RED TURF By: Kimberly Clark

R
ecognition in the UWA Hall of Fame shows high personally and professionally. He has been in the sports
honor and major respect for the career of that media business for a long time as both a reporter and
individual. According to UWA Athletics, “The media relations. I pick his brain often for guidance on
University of West Alabama Hall of Fame was founded how to handle things at UWA with external and internal
to honor former student-athletes, coaches, students communications.” said Assistant Sports Information
and administrators who have honored the university Director Nicholas Finch. “The man is hilarious. I get to
with outstanding play, coaching or leadership, both learn and be entertained most days. UWA has been
while on campus and/or in their careers.” blessed to have him in the Tiger family,” said Finch.
Kent Partridge was nominated for the 2020 UWA Dee Outlaw, current Chairman of the UWA Hall of
Hall of Fame class; he works for UWA as the Sports Fame Selection Committee, was the Sports Information
Information Director and Associate Athletic Director. Director when Partridge was a student at the University.
“When I found out I was nominated for the Hall of “Kent worked for me when he was a student and was
Fame, it was a bit of a strange thing,” said Partridge. the best work study I ever had. It has been wonderful
Being on the Hall of Fame committee allowed Partridge knowing him not only as a student but as a friend,”
to hear about his nomination before the public. said Outlaw.
Partridge attended UWA as a football student-athlete Along with Partridge, the 2020 Hall of Fame class
before an injury ended his athletic career. After his consists of five men who are each outstanding in their
injury, he worked in the athletic department where his sport/career choice: Former UWA football players Mal-
career began, and his passion only grew from there. colm Butler and Kyle Caldwell, MLB player Tanner
Partridge worked many jobs, including Director of Rainey, and coach and administrator Houston Young.
Public Relations for the XFL Birmingham Thunderbolts Partridge holds the distinction of both the Hall of
and the Director of Media Relations and Sports Infor- Fame and the Golden Key Honor Society; he is one of
mation Operations at Auburn University, Texas Tech only nine people to have ever received both honors.
University, Samford University, and the University of Partridge remains grateful for the honors the Uni-
Montevallo. versity has shown him and continues to fufill his job
“Working with Kent has been a huge blessing for me proudly.
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 By: Sarah Wright

Photo: Demetrius Battle

The start of his first season at UWA was not easy,

but it eventually paid off. Allen Sharpe stacked the
starting lineup with experienced seniors. Allison waited

“T
he Tigers are going to the next round!” patiently on the sideline and looked forward to the
screamed the play-by-play announcer moment he could help lead his team to victory.
right after the game-winning shot swished
through the net. Justin Allison delivered a last-second “Every time I stepped onto the court, I
three-pointer shot that won the game. gave it my all.”
As a sophomore, Allison transferred from Spring Allison said, “I wanted to prove to my teammates
Hill College to UWA’s basketball team with high hopes and coaches that even though I was a new player, I
of making history. “I wanted to be a part of a winning could make a major difference for the team.”
program, and I could see the dedication and heart
Standing at 6 feet, Allison measures less than
that the players and coaches had for the game,” said
average for a college basketball player. An additional
Allison.
disadvantage arose due to Allison’s foot injury which
Allison’s basketball career kicked off at the age of caused him to sit out three games. Fortunately, he
four. His childhood consisted of playing football, base- recovered and received the chance to show his team
ball and basketball, but as time rolled on, he knew that and coaches what he was capable of doing.
basketball was the sport for him. “Justin was always
On March 3, the Tigers were scheduled to play
a confident player and would spend countless hours
the Union University Bulldogs. UWA faced them twice
on the court, “ said his sister, Jordan Allison, “Our
before and defeated them both times. Little did Allison
older brother played basketball, and despite all the
know that this win would go down in UWA history.
arguments, they challenged each other. That is how
Justin grew into the player he is now.” The Tigers stomped in as the 4th seed in the Gulf
South Conference rankings, which left the Bulldogs
Allison graduated from Pelham High School in
in the 5th seed. The winner of the next game would
2018. Before graduating, he earned the title of Shelby
advance to Samford and have a shot at winning the
County Player of the Year for 2017-18 and set the
Gulf South Conference Tournament.
record at Pelham High School for nine three-pointers
in a single game. Many of the fans agree that the atmosphere in Pruitt
Hall was tangibly different that night. Mark Everett buzzer blared through the gym. Allison’s prayer was
Gilliam, a UWA student, said, “It was an experience answered. The Tigers had officially won the game.
that every fan strives to see whenever they attend a The fans rushed the court to celebrate with the team.
game. It seemed like every person could not take their UWA advanced, and Union was sent home.
eyes off the court to see what would happen next.”
As the anticipation grew with only 17 seconds left, “The entire crowd stormed the court.
Allison inched his way up to the foul line. He sank It was such an exciting moment
the first, but the second shot fell short. Union rushed and truly the top highlight of any
down the court and made a fade away jump shot from
the corner with seven seconds left. The Bulldogs sent UWA game I have ever been to.”
a message across Pruitt Hall; however, they left just - Cheerleader, Ashley McMinn
enough time for the Tigers to rewrite the history books.
The score was tied, and the Tigers needed to cross The Tigers finished the season with a record of
94 feet to win the game. UWA senior LaJuan Hardy 22-8 and finished 4th in the regular season in the GSC.
brought the ball up the floor and passed it to senior Their season came to an end at Samford while losing
Chris Dudley. Dudley produced a pump fake that cre- to Valdosta State 85-71 in the GSC semifinals.
ated enough space to leave Allison wide open at the He spoke highly of his team and was proud to have
top of the key. When Allison caught the ball, he knew helped them. “They were a great group of guys, and
this was his last chance to send UWA to Samford. I knew that they would have my back on and off the
Years of practice led to this one moment. Allison court. They made it super easy to join a new team, and
let the ball roll off his hands and sent up a prayer that they set an example of excellency that I looked up to.”
it would fall where he intended it. The gym froze as This next season will bring many new players to
only the ball moved through the air. Former Graduate UWA’s court, and Allison plans on leading them to
Assistant Coach Cannon Edwards said, “Right when victory. He said, “our team goal is to win the GSC
the ball left his hands, I knew it was going to go in Championship; that is something we have to do this
and time stood still.” season.”
The ball slipped through the net just as the final Livingston awaits the moment he does exactly that.

Photo: Joe Chance

Relive the Moment!

17
 Photo: Lauren Fuller

By: Olivia Turner

Jake decided to make his own path for success at

UWA. Today, his involvement includes Delta Chi Fra-
ternity, Livingston Chapter as Risk Management on the

N
umerous people attend the same college as Executive Council, Student Government Association,
their parents once did; however, not many of school ambassador and LUie the Mascot.
them can say they cheered for the same team Garren Granec, a friend of Jake’s, said, “ I persuaded
as their mother. When Jake Lewis chose to attend Jake to be LUie with me, because if I was going to do
UWA, he was unaware that he would share a similar something out of my comfort zone, I wanted a close
skill and passion as his mother, Kriste Lewis. friend by my side. Convincing Jake to also be LUie
The job of a mascot requires both preparation and brought us closer together as friends and brothers.”
improvisation to successfully connect with the crowd at Jake desired to be more than just a student in the
a sporting event. The person beneath the suit uses all classroom at UWA. “Initially, I tried out to be the mas-
his creativity to increase family connection and inten- cot because of my friend, Garren. I thought it would be
sity. Can these skills be passed down through family fun although I was originally opposed to it. Eventually,
members? my friend talked me into it. Since then, I am really glad
As Jake prepared to explore his college options, I did it! I have a blast doing it.”
the couple wanted Jake to find a place he belonged.
For Jake, that happened to be The University of West “My favorite thing about being the
Alabama. mascot would have to be dancing. I nor-
Kriste said, “I loved my experience at UWA, and I mally am not the best dancer out of the
wanted Jake to have the same great four years. And,
let’s be honest; it can be hard to let your child go -
suit. However, in the suit, I’m not sure
sending him to a familiar place felt a little less intim- what it is, but something just comes
idating.” over me.”
 Photo: Gary B Garmen
Jake continues the legacy after his parents’ alma
mater. Kriste and her husband met during their time
at UWA. Tim Lewis built his mark on campus as the
president of Omicron Delta Kappa national leadership
honor society, president of Blue Key National Honor
Society and a school ambassador.
Kriste prepared to make her dreams become reality.
At UWA, she created her legacy on campus as the
president of Phi Mu Kappa Xi in 1994, Miss March in
the calendar of Livingston’s Loveliest and 1994 Miss
LU. After graduation, her ambitions only grew.
On her 40th birthday, she decided to audition for
the New Orleans Saints’ Saintsation. Being a full-time
mom of two and a former dance instructor, becoming
a Saints cheerleader appeared to always be on her
“bucket list.” The inspiration to audition originated
from her love of The New Orleans Saints and her diag-
nosis of polycystic kidney disease. Auditioning became
one of her top goals.
Surrounded by young women, the 40-year-old felt
intimidated. However, she wanted to seize the moment
and live life to the fullest while she could.
Kriste’s kidney disease has no cure. Eventually, the
kidneys will enlarge, causing the need for dialysis and
Her inspiration to try out for the Saintsations formed
a transplant. Her positive attitude motivated her to
from her college experience at UWA. She said that
continue to pursue her dreams, she said, “Today is
West Alabama led her to the Saintsations through the
the day, not tomorrow.”
development of her character as well as finding her
After many auditions, Kriste became the first 40-year- support system.
old to make the Saintsations, and this made her the
Her inspiration to try out for the Saintsations formed
oldest cheerleader in the NFL. After cheering for four
from her college experience at UWA. She said that
years, she became recognized as a Pro Bowl Cheer-
West Alabama led her to the Saintsations through the
leader, the highest honor for an NFL Cheerleader.
development of her character as well as finding her
support system.
“If there was ever anything that needed to be done,
there were always people there to support and encour-
age me, especially my husband.” Kriste said, “He has
always been my number one supporter.”
Jake continues the legacy and plans to continue
to be LUie the Tiger until he graduates. One day he
hopes to see his younger brother, Rob Lewis, come
to UWA and be LUie the Tiger.
Kriste said, “I would love to see Rob and Jake be
LUie together one day. When you see your child love
something as much as you do in their own way, you
love it even more!”
As their son, Rob, continues to search for his college,
the family hopes to keep their alma mater a family
tradition.

Photo: UWA Admissions

19
 Photo: Christian Malone

“After that hit, the doctor told

me that there was stuff that I
would NEVER remember.”

OVERCOMING
THE TACKLE By: Christian Malone

F
ans packed the stadium on Sept. 15, eager to place that he was when he started. These exercises
see The University of West Alabama football include reciting the alphabet forward and backward,
team crush Valdosta State. The excitement built reciting numbers 1-100 forward and backward, sen-
in the eyes of the crowd quickly drained away as UWA tence writing, reading repetition, jogging and various
tight-end Raquavious “Qua” Boyd was violently struck balance exercises.
by a Valdosta State player. Boyd plummeted to the “The game of football is a privilege, and I’m blessed
turf and lost more than just the pass. Boyd’s sense of to have the privilege to play,” said Boyd.
memory seemed to roll away with the football. Boyd believes that the football league should be
Ever since that moment, Boyd has trekked on the stricter on hits and tackles. Although helmets are made
journey of recovery. The doctors concluded that Boyd’s to help prevent concussions, Boyd believes that the
hit led to a severe concussion. To this day, Boyd cannot referees should do a better job of managing tackles
remember what happened during that game. that could lead to injuries.
He spent most of his time that season trying to regain According to CNN, from 2012-2019, there was an
his memory. He visited the athletic training facility daily average of 242 diagnosed concussions in the NFL per
to complete exercises to help his memory. He com- year. In response to this, the NFL announced that a
pleted color tests, walking exercises, speech therapy, total of $3 million has been made available to sup-
and concussion tests. port the development of a helmet prototype that will
“I’m just taking it day by day because I prevent or stop concussions.
Boyd wants to eventually have a family of his own.
still have a long way to go.” He knows that this is a day-to-day journey, but he’s
Boyd still completes daily exercises to keep his mind willing to take it to have a healthy life. Boyd is set to
sharp. He believes these routine exercises will main- graduate with his masters in December of 2020.
tain his memory so that he does not fall back into the
 want

UWA CARES can help

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Spieth 200 Mon-Fri: 8am-9pm
Sun: 1pm-9pm
Austin Moffett Photos: Joe Chance
Baseball Outfielder
UWA 2017 - 2019.
“I made some of the best friends I ever had. If it was
anything, it was fun. I definitely grew up a lot,” said
Moffett. Moffett claimed an Interdisciplinary Studies
degree when he graduated in 2019.
“You always have time for extra activities. Focus on
your goals, your degree and yourself now because
these are some of the best days of your life, so don’t
take them for granted,” said Moffett. Moffett kept
his focus and finished his degree with the help of his
family and the rest of his supporters. He is currently
in the Enterprise Car Rental Trainee Program but will
be a salesman soon enough.

Taylor Donato
Volleyball Outside Hitter
UWA 2016 - 2020
“I had some of the best and worst times at UWA
that helped me grow as a teammate and as a person,”
said Donato. Donato graduated with an Integrated
Marketing Communications degree with a minor in
Political Science.
“Always remember why you’re there. Your first pri-
ority should be focused on being a student. Don’t get
lost in being an athlete when it is a means to an end
to get your degree,” said Donato. Donato took her
position of being an athlete seriously, but knew her
position as a student was more important.
Donato is currently working as a Special Education
Paraprofessional. She is also continuing her education
and earning her Masters in IMC at UWA with hopes
of finding a career in this field.

Call Dyer
Football Center and Guard
UWA 2015 - 2020
“UWA was pretty fun, and I had fun with all the peo-
ple on the team,” said Dyer.
Dyer now has his Business Management degree
after graduating in the spring of 2020. “Get done
playing and stick it out and get that degree. That’s the
main goal that will help you out more than another
season will,” said Dyer. He can see that “student” is
put before ‘’athlete” in ‘’student-athlete” for a reason.
He now coaches the offensive line at his alma mater,
Gordo High School.

23
Emilee Cunningham
Women’s Basketball Forward
UWA 2017 - 2018
“It was busy being involved with sports and keeping
my GPA up at the same time. It was small-town-living,
but we made it fun,” said Cunningham.
Cunningham earned her bachelor’s degree in Exer-
cise Science when she graduated in 2018. “Be proac-
tive and have a plan, especially in today’s world. Go
get your degree,” said Cunningham.
Cunningham knows that the future is uncertain,
but her degree and her careful planning now has her
working as a Speech and Language Pathologist at
Ochsner’s Health in Louisiana.

Corey Kelley
Baseball outfielder and pitcher
UWA 2014 - 2018
“I enjoyed my time at UWA, probably the best time
of my life,” said Kelley. He graduated the fall of 2018
with a degree in Business Management.
“Don’t be afraid to reach out to teachers for help,
because they’ll give it no matter what you need,” said
Kelley. Kelley attributes his success in finishing his
degree to his teachers. He is currently serving as a
firefighter in Mobile.

Harry Satterwhite
All-Conference Quarterback
UWA 2014 - 2018
“I loved it at UWA. My best friends were my team-
mates, and we won the conference championship in
2017, one of the best seasons in UWA history,” said
Satterwhite.
Satterwhite graduated in 2018 with a bachelor’s
degree in Business Administration. “The biggest thing
(about college) is that it is what you make it. It’s not
about how many friends you have, but how you can
make the most out of life with it,” said Satterwhite.
Satterwhite believes he can make the most out of life
with his degree, but he is also furthering his education
by working as a graduate assistant at the University
of South Alabama where he helps coach the team’s
linebackers.
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#1. Deyon Hill CONGRATULATIONS 2020 SENIORS #62. Stuart Mixson
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 By: Sarah Wright

R
yan “Rhino” Cram. He could possibly go down in history as UWA’s biggest fan. There are not many
sporting events that Ryan has missed in the past seven years he has been a part of the UWA family.
Ryan Cram not only holds the title of being the Head Women’s Basketball Coach’s son, but also the
official Hype Man of the football team and a bowling Gold Medalist in the Tuscaloosa Special Olympics. On
the rare occasion that he is not at a sporting event, one can find Ryan on the side of the train tracks studying
the trains that pass through Livingston. It would be an understatement to say that Ryan has simply helped the
teams on campus. Here is what the coaches have to say about their biggest fan:

“Ryan is the BMOC (big man on campus)! Caring, “Ryan is the ultimate cheerleader for our team.
faithful, loyal, sweet, funny and loving are the first His positive, upbeat, cheerful attitude is a constant
words that pop in my mind about Ryan. When Ryan reminder to the team to keep their chins up, keep
walks into our dugout, it instantly gets brighter. He is working hard no matter what is placed in your path.”
passionate about competition and is always rooting for - Baseball Head Coach, Gary Rundles
you! He is a glimpse of heaven and all that is right in
the world and why there’s just something about UWA!”
- Softball Head Coach, Carie Dever-Boaz

“Ryan Cram is an extremely important part of our

football family. Our players and staff gain instant posi-
tive energy from Ryan every time he is around. Regard-
less if things are going good or bad, Ryan always has
a positive outlook and brings a breath of fresh air into
our program. We are extremely blessed to have Ryan
on our staff as the “Hype Man” and Special Assistant
to the Head Coach.”
- Football Head Coach, Brett Gilliland Photos: Trent Spruell

29
 C

CM

MY

CY

CMY

By: Kimberly Clark

T
he perfect athlete does not exist. However, ath- everyday diet affects their awareness and activeness
letes still spend most of their lives training for during a game. “In season, you make sure to always
perfection within their sport. The UWA’s men’s eat healthy, during off season you are free to eat fast
soccer team follows a strict training program focused food, but it is best to avoid it,” said graduate forward
on bettering every player physically and mentally. Vince Stans. While it might be different for each per-
For this team, training begins long before the official son, Stans focuses on the proper diet for himself, so
start of the soccer season; the team prepares constantly he can build success on the field.
throughout the year. Soccer affects the players’ daily The team credits their coaching staff with their ability
lives, including their diet, sleep schedule and time to compete and be successful, and this comes from
management skills. “I visit the gym five times a week the intense training program the coaches prepare for
during the spring to prepare for the upcoming season. them. The team training works toward one goal, and
I work out twice as much in the spring as in the fall,” that can only be winning.
said junior midfielder, Maxime Correia.
When these soccer players step out on the field they
leave everything else behind and focus on the game
in front of them. They create a successful response to
the training that head coach Ross Nelson puts them
through every day. “I push the guys to train at a more
intense level in practice, so they are more prepared
for how intense games are going to be,” said Nelson.
The training schedule these athletes follow through
with each and every week starts with a 6 a.m. prac-
tice in the morning once a week and practice each
night at 8 p.m. “When we have games we practice
every day, even on the weekends.”, said Nelson. The
team balances their workout style so they cover all
aspects of strength and conditioning. They compete
in a 5K to push their endurance skills and prepare for
the upcoming games.
Along with strength, athletes understand that their Photos: Joe Chance
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 By: Summer Earle
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K
nuckles curve around the handle of a good tennis program and coaching staff.”
racquet, sneakers shuffle, and sweat One of the biggest decisions to make in life is where
drips on the tennis court where athletes to go to college. Most students struggle with deciding
from all around the world compete. Here at the UWA, on a college 3 hours away, but for these international
the men’s and women’s tennis players’ “home away athletes, the decision to attend a school in the United
from home” is in another country. States meant going home only for holidays.
As the globe spins, location markers pop up in Nige- “I am from Merida, Mexico,” said sophomore Haina
ria, Finland, Sweden, Mexico, Columbia, France, United Franco. “The thing I miss the most is my family, but
Kingdom, China, and the United States. Each of these I’m lucky I have a great team, not just on the court but
countries link together in Livingston, Ala., where the outside, that makes being far away from family easier.”
dream of playing tennis collegiately came true. Both Johansen and Franco are from countries much
“I have been playing tennis my whole life and it different than the United States. Each player has
means a lot to me,” said junior Noah Johansen from expressed that even tennis is different here, but in
Finland. “I came to West Alabama because of the the best way.
“I feel here in America there is a lot more compe-
tition, and I believe that is what makes the players
better,” said Franco.
Tennis coach, Jeff Beaman, said that he has learned
much about different places and cultures through his
international athletes. Originally from Canada, Beaman
knows a thing or two about the transition from another
country to America.
“I grew up in Canada and have lived in Wyoming,
Kansas, Alabama, New Mexico, Texas and Idaho, and
even in some parts of those states, the people can be
very different,” said Coach Beaman.
On these teams, language seems to be less of a bar-
rier than one may think. The different languages that
spill from the mouths of these players may be Russian,
Swedish, Finnish, Spanish, or Chinese. While all know
enough English to speak, the coach has a special rule
to help his athletes get better daily.
“It’s very interesting being a part of such a diverse
team because many would think we have nothing in
Photo: Joe Chance
 common, but we all get along so well and have so Whether one had to cross the Pacific Ocean or simply
much fun together,” said junior Morgan Bishop. drive to a different county, their journey towards the
net brought them to West. For these athletes, tennis
“They continue to help me compete means everything to them, and their experience has
and be better on and off the court. been nothing short of successful and supportive.
I’ve learned new things about their
countries and gained a huge appre-
ciation through them that I would’ve
never learned in a classroom or
on the Internet.”
From Midlothian, Texas, freshman Jared Pierce feels
the same way. Pierce sees his team’s diversity as quite
interesting, and he has seized the opportunity to learn
the languages of his teammates.
From Midlothian, Tex., freshman Jared Pierce feels
the same way. Pierce sees his team’s diversity as quite
interesting, and he has seized the opportunity to learn
the languages of his teammates.
“So far it’s been fantastic,” said Pierce. “Everyone
on the team is nice and friendly to be around.”
Photo: Joe Chance

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33
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 Photo: Joe Chance

A GRAND SLAM
By: Max Potts

M
arch 7, 2020, will forever stands out in the door opened, and his coaching career began. Rundles
mind of UWA Baseball Head Coach Gary was named head coach at Chattanooga Central High
Rundles. After sweeping a series over Spring School. After a successful eight-year stint, Rundles
Hill College, Rundles secured his spot in Alabama returned to his alma mater in 1985. Upon graduat-
history, becoming just the eighth collegiate baseball ing with his master’s, he made history by being the
coach with 1,000 victories under his belt. first paid baseball assistant coach in Carson-Newman
The 65-year-old baseball coach recalls the game as if history. After two years of being an assistant coach,
it were yesterday. “There is no other way to describe it he accepted the helm of head baseball coach for the
other than humbling,” said Rundles. While most people Eagles.
will credit the milestone to great coaching, Rundles During his time leading the Eagles, he built a domi-
believes his best attribute was the team family built nant baseball program; within 13 years of being head
around him. Rundles said, “I thank God for allowing coach, he won five conference titles and runner-up
me to be in this position and blessing me with great four times. After building one of the most successful
players, staff and family.” programs in the south, Rundles sensed a calling for him
Brock Ward, a former player and now assistant coach, somewhere else. “I never had to leave Carson-New-
believes this milestone shows the greatness of Rundles man. I just felt that God was telling me to start a new
and how he represents the program. “It doesn’t get chapter in my life,” said Rundles.
much better than Coach Rundles. He deserves every Ultimately, Rundles’ presence at UWA was only pos-
bit of praise he gets,” said Ward. sible with the help of another UWA Hall of Famer, Dee
Since taking the reins of the West Alabama Tigers, Outlaw. The two men served on the NCAA National
Rundles created a thriving program. Other than his Baseball Committee. Outlaw, who served as UWA
winning success, he has produced two MLB talents, athletic director at the time, mentioned an opening
led the Tigers to numerous regional tournaments, and for head baseball coach. Rundles then interviewed
won GSC gold in 2015. and soon began the rebuilding process for the Tigers.
Even though Rundles spent most of his time in Living- His past success encourages him to push even fur-
ston, his journey truly began in 1974 when he started ther in his career. Rundles believes he made the right
his college career at Carson-Newman University where choice by coming to the UWA baseball program, and
he lettered all four years. he plans to continue to advance the Tigers and build
After putting an end to his playing career, a new the program to the best of his coaching abilities.
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 Photo: Ryan Branch

RIPPING LIPS
AND
TAKING NAMES By: Sarah Wright

F
or many, the feeling of a bass snatching their parents knew that a boat was what he needed for
bait just in time for them to set the hook and reel the weekends he spends on lakes sprawled across
him in with a strong fight can quickly become an the southeast. This boat allows more opportunities
addiction. Ryan Branch, a member of the UWA Bass for Branch to further his fishing career and earn more
Fishing Club, lives for moments just like that. awards for the University.
Branch fishes at as many school tournaments as he
can cram in with his busy school schedule. He bal-
“Fishing isn’t just just throwing a line
ances his classes, social life and fishing career, so he out and reeling it back to the boat. It’s
can make time to work on his fishing techniques. With my escape from everything else going
every ounce of free time he can stumble upon, he also
fishes local tournaments where he has claimed several on around me.”
wins in the past year. Branch prioritizes life on the water. During the sum-
“At 8 years old, I moved to a new mers he works on the wooden docks of a marina on
Lay Lake assisting others with their boats. Whenever
neighborhood, found a rod, and he gets off work, he never hesitates to hit the water
started fishing. I was hooked from to try out new fishing techniques that may or may not
lead him to victory at the next tournament.
then on out.” When asked about the best fishing spots he said, “I
He started out fishing for the Vestavia Hills fishing always love the lakes that have the murkiest water. If it
team but now finds himself at UWA where there are has brush and rocks, there is a bass in there, and I plan
plenty of fishing opportunities begging for his atten- on getting it.” He styled his technique to allow him
tion. to be successful every time he goes out on the water.
Not many can say their high school graduation pres- Branch continues to live the only way he knows how,
ent was a boat, but that is the case for Branch. His and that is with his fishing rod in hand and ready to go.
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A
s Hannah Montana says, mix it all are right there with them to provide whatever care
together and you get the best of they need.
both worlds. Senior Nicole Buccieri’s “AT and softball are going to mold me into a bet-
first world is softball and her second is Athletic ter person, a harder worker, and will allow me to be
Training (AT). When she mixes those together, a future seen as someone who can manage their time well,”
full of prosperity and passion appears. said Buccieri.
“What’s it like to be a normal student?” Her story begins with her passion for soft-
Buccieri asks herself that question when ball. At a young age, Buccieri swung her bat
she returns home after a long day with at a ball for the first time. She remembers
homework piled up and tests on her playing competitively at the age of five,
horizon. As both a collegiate athlete but her father has evidence of her love
and AT major, free time appears like for softball blossoming before then.
a distant dream for her. “My dad talks all the time and
Despite the lack of free time, shows pictures of us in the backyard
Buccieri still chooses to see only the throwing balls as soon as I could
positives produced from the dou- stand,” said Buccieri.
ble-edged sword in hand. She says While her childhood transitioned
to provide a perspective through into her teenage years, Buccieri’s
both the eyes of an athlete and love for softball grew stronger.
athletic trainer gives her an edge The aspiration of becoming a col-
over some others. Her connection legiate athlete manifested itself in
to athletics provides her with a Buccieri’s dreams when she began
unique perspective that allows her high school. Her junior year, West
to understand the thoughts and recruited her to play softball.
emotions that run through their
Buccieri’s love for softball slid
head.
her into a home plate here at UWA.
“It’s hard for some people to Her next steps on her West journey
understand why athletes act or do lead her to decide a major. Passionate
certain things, but it’s nice to be able about the medical field and athletics,
to add that perspective. This helps me she was naturally drawn towards the
give them the care that they need in the Athletic Training program. “The softball
best way possible,” said Buccieri. coach here at the time introduced me to
Buccieri also seizes any opportunity to the Athletic Training program,” said Buccieri.
explain why athletic trainers are important to her Athletic training students strive to not only
fellow teammates. She explains how not only are ath- obtain a required number of hours working with a
letes awake for 6 a.m. practices, but athletic trainers sports team on campus, but they are also required
to work hours in other clinical settings. This semester, “Nicole has benefited the team in a physical aspect
Buccieri must work a minimum of 250 hours with the from her power hitting and her arm in the outfield,”
football team. She attends every practice, workout, said head coach Carie Boaz-Dever. “But more impor-
treatment, and game. tantly, Nicole has benefited the team in her ability to
set a high standard and level of expectation for herself
“When I came to West, AT was new and her teammates.”
to me. When I started the program, I The art of time management is a skill that Buccieri
knew it was something I was meant to gives credit to for her success. She tackles her schedule
day-by-day. In between her schoolwork and classes,
do and be a part of, but I didn’t know she sketches in softball practice and athletic training
how much time I had to put into it.” in the empty spaces
Buccieri changes from her softball uniform into “Most of the time when I come home
a red polo and khakis for, what seems like, the hun-
dredth time. While she slips off her cleats and ties the
for the day, I am exhausted. All I want
shoelaces to a pair of Adidas sneakers, she answers to do is go to bed, but I’ll have four
her question of wonder about being a normal student assignments due and two tests the
with, “I wouldn’t want it any other way.”
“Several people told me I had to make a choice,
next day.”
that I wouldn’t be able to make it through four years Buccieri sees her overwhelming schedule as an
of doing both. All that did was just motivate me more opportunity to prepare her for a future where her love
to stick with it because it already became something for softball and athletic training collide. Both worlds of
that I loved,” said Buccieri. softball and athletic training create goals and aspira-
Buccieri bet against the odds and strove to become tions that Buccieri hopes to accomplish. She doesn’t
successful in both areas. Not only is she one of the see any dream as too big while she tackles two of the
top students in her class, but she is also an essential most time-consuming commitments a student can
player for the UWA softball team. make here at West.

Photo: Trent Spruell

39
 By: Christian Malone

S
tephen Curry from the Golden State was put on my back because I was already behind. So,
Warriors, Kyrie Irving from the Brooklyn I had to put in extra work, because everyone else was
Nets, and Russell Westbrook from the ahead of me,” said Smith.
Houston Rockets all have one thing in com- She practiced from the time the gym opened and
mon: their height. All three athletes stand tall would stay until it closed to learn the skills she needed
at 6’ 3”. UWA basketball player Rose Smith to be the best player. Although her high school coach
stands right with them. “I fell in love with being only placed her in one position, she trained herself to
different,” said Smith. be an all-around player. “Because I’m so tall, they don’t
She upholds a personal mission to show other girls want me out on the perimeter. So, I was not able to
that they can work hard and be successful. She believes showcase what I could really do,” said Smith.
that a player does not have to start playing basketball One of her major concerns with coming to college
at two-years-old to make it to the big leagues. She was that the coach would see her hard work and poten-
strives to be a living example of the phrase “it’s never tial and place her in other positions. She knew her
too late.” talents were not utilized in high school and did not
“I never wanted to play basketball, but people kept want to continue that cycle.
asking me why I was so tall and why I didn’t play. Smith believes that UWA Basketball was exactly what
After years of that question, I decided to start play- she needed. After growing up in a big, fast and busy
ing,” said Smith. She stands high above the rest at 6’ city, she knew that she wanted a family-oriented team.
3”. According to the Washington Post, “The average She still strives to be the best player she can be, and
American woman is around 5-foot-4. The average she knows that UWA can help take her there. “Once I
Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) saw how far basketball could take me, I knew this was
player is almost 6 feet tall.” the sport for me,” said Smith.
Smith embarked on her basketball career in her soph- “I got to travel the world. I went to Costa Rica for
omore year of high school and faced many hardships five days just to play. I’ve met so many people I never
because she started so late. Her height held her to a thought I’d meet. I’ve met millionaires and billionaires
higher standard, and people expected her to be the because of basketball,” said Smith. She holds onto
best player simply because of her stature. “A burden her goal of playing overseas. Smith delivered her tal-
ent from New York City, NY, to play at West Alabama.
“The hardest part of moving across the country was
just the 19-hour drive down here,” said Smith. She
discovered that basketball was an outlet for her. Even
with her family being so far from her, she still focuses
on her goals.
“I believe that if she puts in the work she can go
anywhere she wants to,” said head coach Rusty Cram.
Smith hopes to take her career overseas, but she would
not mind going to the WNBA. “If I stop at the WNBA
on my way, then that’s fine too,” said Smith. Watch out
for Rose Smith on your screens in the coming years,
because she strives to be the next big thing coming
Photo: Roger Davis out of Livingston by way of New York City.
 Alignment
,
rakes
B
T ires,
O il C h a n g e,

Drop your car off today, no appointment needed!

(205) 652-7770
1124 N Washington St,
Livingston, AL 35470

41
 Photo: UWA Athletics

By: Lauren Fuller

K
evin Guy, President and Head Coach for the Ari- His history in the positions gives him a player’s per-
zona Rattlers and former UWA football player, spective that allows him to understand their outlook on
fulfilled his coaching dreams after finishing his coaching style. The coaching strategy Guy enforces
his professional football playing career. He began marks a “Culture of Accountability” that instills hard
his career at West in 1991, and this jumpstarted his work and responsibility in every player. He coaches
progression to professional playing. After his visit at hard, but he also makes sure to be approachable off
UWA, he liked the vision of the football program and it the field and hold good relationships with all of his
matched his goal. He knew this was the school for him. players.
Guy keeps in touch with some coaches and players Guy utilizes a team philosophy that excludes the
who surrounded him during his time in Livingston. main priority of measurables. He focuses on an athlete’s
Dee Outlaw, athletic director at the time, acted as a capabilities, but he does not base his recruiting on the
mentor for Guy, and he consistently provided wisdom player’s size and attributes. This allows him to push
for the upcoming coach. Outlaw’s advice guided Guy’s players who, otherwise, may not have furthered their
coaching approach and created a relationship that will career. Finding the best athletes for the team stays a
last forever. main priority, but Guy understands the importance of
According to Guy, the most important asset a pro-ath- the business side of athletics. He jumps at the chance
lete needs is speed. “If you move to the next level, you to build his brand, and he learned how exposure and
either have speed or you’re chasing it.” Throughout capitalization of a brand is crucial to furthering success.
his football career, Guy transitioned through several In 2015, Guy was inducted in the UWA Hall of Fame,
positions including quarterback, wide receiver, and and this honor came as a shock to him. He believed
defensive back. Learning the ins and outs of these that an induction was based on an athlete’s playing
positions prepared him for his coaching career. He and statistics while at the University; however, Guy’s
vouched that strength is important, but an athlete’s induction originated from not only his college career
speed will always out run their strength. but all of his successes that followed.

“I wouldn’t change a thing, because all Along with his Hall of Fame induction, Guy’s biggest
honor comes from watching his players succeed on
the positions helped me so much in my and off the field. His dedication to the game and his
coaching career. I had a perspective of players proves evident through his coaching strategy.
every position.” Guy represents the passion UWA Football empha-
sizes, and he continues to create great success in all
of his endeavors.
 Photo: Max Potts

By: Max Potts

M
ost coaches emphasize that in every great After working in operations for the Georgia Tech
program someone works behind the scenes football program, the 40-year-old New York native took
to ensure everything runs smoothly. As a the reins of DFO for the Tigers in March of this year.
firm believer in this mantra, UWA hired its first full- While Terry never envisioned leaving Georgia Tech for
time Director of Football Operations (DFO), Coach a division 2 school, he felt drawn to Livingston and had
David Terry. maintained connections to UWA’s athletic department.
With this position, Terry jumps at the opportunity “Nate Burton, the co-defensive coordinator at Geor-
to decrease the workload of the other coaches. Terry gia Tech who originally coached with Gilliland, told me
said, “From how I understand it, the coaches have all that Brett was looking for a DFO,” said Terry. He then
had to take on certain roles and jobs that took away visited Livingston to interview and tour the campus.
time from their coaching duties. I am happy that I can Shortly after, Terry was officially offered the job and
take that extra stress off of them, so they can focus accepted it.
more on the X’s and O’s.” Terry’s career in football started in high school and
Terry hopes to be an asset for the team and coaches, carried over into his college years at Temple University,
and he plans to utilize his resources and abilities to where he lettered all four years under UWA’s current
advance the program. Football Head Coach Brett Gil- athletic director Bobby Wallace.
liland chose Terry to do exactly that. “I am equally After college, Terry voluntarily coached at his home-
excited to have Coach Terry in the DFO position. town high school; however, that did not last long. He
Above his DFO duties, he is a great resource for our soon packed up and moved to Charlotte, NC, to work
players as a mentor,” said Gilliland. several other jobs. Convinced he never found his call-
As DFO, Terry’s job requires him to plan the team’s ing, Terry’s passion for coaching took over, and he
travel arrangements, distribute food pre and post- made his way to Livingston.
game, coordinate events and fundraisers, and oversee After building his experience, Terry made his way to
the program’s day-to-day operations. He also maintains UWA, and he plans to set a standard for the position
equipment and oversees practices to guarantee they and create a better atmosphere for the football pro-
run smoothly. Terry ensures that every coach and player gram. The addition of a full-time DFO will grow as an
has received what they need for the day’s practice asset for the Tigers for many years to come.
and that camera operators are ready to film practice.

43
 By: Olivia Turner

M
ost athletic students stress about Martin was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis at the
finals and 4000-word papers, but for age of 19. Doctors believe that MS can be a potentially
Kylie Martin, the stressor originates disabling disease of the brain and spinal cord. The
from adapting her life for a medical condition. autoimmune disease occurs in the immune system,
Along with being a student athlete, Martin’s real which attacks healthy tissue, causing communication
curveball is living with Multiple Sclerosis. A medical problems between the brain and the rest of the body.
shock flipped her sophomore year of college upside
down with a diagnosis that she expects to remain with
“The diagnosis from the neurologist
her for the rest of her life. For Martin, each day on the came as a shock to me. The relief of
field marks a milestone after her return to the sport knowing where my symptoms were
she adores.
One spring morning, Martin noticed a dramatic
coming from relieved me… I thought it
change in her vision. Martin said, “It started that I was going to be a much worse diagno-
thought I needed new contacts, but as the day went sis.”
by, I knew I had to do something.”
The cause of MS remains unknown, but scientists
Later, Martin and an athletic trainer visited the eye
believe it is a combination of environmental and
doctor. The eye doctor’s concerns lead her to meet
genetic factors. There is no treatment to cure MS;
with a neurologist.
however, there are treatment options to slow the
progression.
According to the Mayo Clinic, “Multiple
sclerosis causes many different symptoms,
including vision loss, pain, fatigue, and
impaired coordination. The symptoms,
severity, and duration can vary from person
to person. Some people may be symptom
free most of their lives, while others can
have severe chronic symptoms that never
go away.”
Nicole Buccieri, Martin’s teammate and
roommate said, “I never saw a change in
her attitude towards the game. She was
out for a little while and struggled in the
beginning- this only made her work harder.
She was determined to prove to everyone
that her diagnosis doesn’t define her as
an athlete or a person.”
Photos: Kamree Lay

Since Martin’s diagnosis, her life has remained as As Martin grew older, so did the competition. Martin
normal as possible. With the doctor’s help, her MS played for her travel ball team, Kraze 99. This type of
became more manageable. competition prepared Martin for her college softball
Her softball career stayed intact, and her condi- career. After Martin graduates from UWA, she hopes
tion pushed her even harder to succeed. Martin said, to go to physical therapy school to continue her edu-
“Being active, by at least running a mile every day, cation.
helps me manage my symptoms.” Despite Martin’s mixed blessing, she continues to
Buccieri said, “Her diagnosis has rarely shown do extraordinary and inspiring things with her life.
symptoms that affect her. This is an advantage for her
because she’s played with it her whole life. To this day
she is still capable of doing anything and competing “I never saw a change in her attitude
as well as anyone else on the field. She has shown
everyone no matter what you struggle with you can towards the game. She was out for a
come back stronger than you were before.” little while and struggled in the begin-
Martin began her softball career when she was four ning- this only made her work harder.
years old. Her parents, Wendy and Scott Martin, intro-
duced her to the sport as soon as she was four years She was determined to prove to every-
old. Her parents, Wendy and Scott Martin, introduced one that her diagnosis doesn’t define
her to the sport as soon as she could hold a ball. When
her as an athlete or a person.”
she reached the appropriate age, her parents signed
her up to play t-ball.
-Nicole Buccieri

45
 Photo: Trent Spruell

THE INVISIBLE
HURDLE By: Olivia Turner

D
ajarahh Navarro, a 3rd-year member of the diagnosis like this could hinder an athlete’s willingness
UWA track team and former UWA volleyball to compete, Navarro has elevated her willingness to
player, struggles with seizures that attack at play, compete, and grow in her sport.
any moment and take control of her capabilities.
Before this diagnosis came along, Navarro fell in
“My condition has made not only my
love with track and never looked back on this decision. mental health better but created a
Now, she continues to grow and compete on the col- better outlook on life.”
legiate level. While most would back down from this
health issue, she attacked this challenge at full speed Navarro strives to push herself to new heights every
and with no mercy. “Being out there and competing is day and does the same to others. The word “no” fuels
the biggest accomplishment yet, next to all the medals her inner fire to light her up and keep on pushing
and accolades, of course,“ said Navarro. forward. The ability to compete and practice again
Navarro, still trying to figure out the physiological became the ultimate goal for her.
aspects of her condition, understands that a seizure Back home in Nevada, Navarro’s family supports her
can strike at any moment and last for up to 40 minutes. in her track career, academics and modeling. When the
At one point in her life, she medically withdrew from doctors told her she should not continue with track, the
school to monitor her condition and gain control of family did not side with them, but with their own. They
the seizures the best she could. The side effects of the support her decision to continue the road to compete.
seizures affected her memory of recent events and With competition, comes a season all track athletes
even some people in her life. While this affects her look forward to and that is the spring. Once the sad
daily, she accepted this fate and continued to push and cold times of winter scurry away and the sunshine
her track career to the next level. follows, it is the time of year they look forward to.
She praises her teammates for all the support they While she is undecided about her career choice, life
show her throughout her struggles and understanding after college will have many roads for Navarro. She
her difficulties. Navarro follows a daily routine like most always has her modeling aspiration to follow and hopes
students: class, practice, study hall. In this hectic sched- to become an advocate for athletes. She represents
ule, she finds it hard to obtain an adequate amount of the idea that no condition should ever slow someone
sleep every night, along with the proper nutrition and down or chase their dream away. Navarro plans to
hydration needed for an athlete. However, she said her prove herself through track, and be a representation
supportive teammates are always there for her. While a for others to do the same.

47
 By: Abby Fuller

E
very team holds a bond, some closer than others, but the teams at the University of West Ala-
bama share a unique connection. With student-athletes from all over the world, coaches dig
into the recruit’s character and question if they will build the bond that the team holds, or if
they will break it. At UWA, the head coach for each team performs a special strategy of finding players
to create the perfect team. All of the coaches focus on similar traits while recruiting, which include skill level,
character and passion for the game.

UWA Women’s Basketball

The women’s basketball program uses more of a his seniors leave. He knows each of his player’s clas-
research-based approach for their recruitment system. sification and position and keeps that in mind while
This program begins their recruiting process up to two recruiting.
years in advance. “We start recruiting in their sopho- When searching for possible recruits, the coach-
more year and really start to attack it during their junior ing staff separately travels to research potential UWA
year, and then we try to sign them early in November athletes. After watching players multiple times, the
of their senior year,” said head coach Rusty Cram. coaching staff meets and narrows down their list of
During the games, the obvious bond that the potential players to a top ten.
team possesses shines through on the court. “When If Cram believes a player would match the energy
looking at a player, I have to watch to see if she will of the team, he discusses the program with her and
blend with the flavor on our team,” said Cram. explains his expectations. He uncovers players who
Cram focuses on everything that the fans do not. mesh well with the mindset and capabilities of the
”Everybody in the stands knows if that kid can score or team.
not, but we’re watching for fine details, footwork, do
they play hard all the time, do they have what it takes
to play at the next level, are they committed,” said
Cram. He stacks his roster and prepares for when his
seniors leave. He knows each of his player’s classifica-
tion. During the games, the obvious bond that the
team possesses shines through on the court. “When
looking at a player, I have to watch to see if she will
blend with the flavor on our team,” said Cram.
Cram focuses on everything that the fans do not.
”Everybody in the stands knows if that kid can score
or not, but we’re watching for fine details, footwork,
do they play hard all the time, do they have what it
takes to play at the next level, are they committed,”
said Cram. He stacks his roster and prepares for when
 UWA Tennis
The UWA tennis teams are run by the same head
coach, Jeff Beaman. This presents the same
recruiting process with double the work.
Beaman said, “The way we get some of our best
players is completely last minute.” Beaman traveled
and scouted players in the past, but now he uses his
contacts to find the players with the best skill set to
join his team.
When contacting a potential player, Beaman nor-
mally emails or Facebook messages him or her. Some
potential players personally message Beaman before
he reaches out to them.
Every coach watches for the trait or skill that draws
UWA Men’s Soccer them towards a potential player, but there is also a
For the men’s soccer team, recruiting never stops. deal-breaker for players. “I look for the best possible
“We’re constantly recruiting, kids continue sending player and their skill level, but I also look at their char-
us emails, with the season ending we can now go acter and academics,” said Beaman.
off-campus and recruit,” said head coach Ross Nelson. When it comes to his deal-breaker for players,
Being from Ireland, Nelson holds connections with regardless of the level of skill the player pertains, how
coaches and players, so that when the time comes, he does he or she portray and carry themselves? “It all
can refer back to those relationships for future players. depends on their character if they are known for going
“I will go home and there will be a lot of agencies to tournaments and arguing, or known as a cheater,”
putting off showcase games, so I can go and view said Beaman.
the players there,” said Nelson. When reaching out At UWA, everyone and every team holds at least
to a potential recruit, Nelson prefers to start the com- one specific detail that makes them stand out from
munication with an email, so the information stays the others. The coaches of UWA all take a different
accessible for the player. approach to recruit players, but they all search for one
With soccer being popular internationally, recruits thing in common, a player’s character.
come from all over the world, so coaches must cre-
atively reel them in. “Most international students have Photos: Joe Chance
already decided that they are coming to the states to
play while in school. We just have to show our inter-
est in hopes of them coming to West Alabama,” said
Nelson.
Livingston, Ala., creates a family-oriented experi-
ence for all athletes. “I feel like with Livingston being
such a small town, it brings the team closer and
strengthens their bond. It keeps a tight rope around
the team,” said Nelson.
While scouting, Nelson not only focuses on skills
and statistics, but he also studies a player’s character.
“If a player is going to be rude and a difficult person,
I would have to work with him every day and would
continuously butt heads. I do not want that in a player,”
said Nelson. The player’s character draws Nelson’s
attention but could also be the very reason he elimi-
nates a player’s chance on the team.

49
SEAFOOD - STEAKS - BBQ - CATERING
(205) 652 5750
 TIGERS GOT TALENT
Four Tigers inducted into GSC Baseball Team of Decade
By: Summer Earle

Mitch Holgate
Third Baseman 2013-16
Holgate was 2014 GSC Player of the Year, 2013 GSC Fresh-
man of the Year, & 2014-16 All-GSC. He was the only player
in UWA history to hit for the cycle. Holgate had a .335 hitter.
He also was a UWA career leader in triples with 15, tied for
second on GSC career list and was second in career stolen
bases with 74. He was fourth in UWA history in home runs
(32) & singles (148), and was three-time GSC Spring All-Ac-
ademic Team honoree.

Tanner Rainey
First Baseman & Relief Pitcher 2014-15
Rainey was the 2015 Rawlings/ABCA All-American, 2015 NCBWA
All-American, & 2015 All-GSC as first baseman & relief pitcher. He’s
currently a relief pitcher for the Washington Nationals. He hit three
homers to lead the Tigers to win the 2015 GSC Championship Game.
Holgate had .331 career hitter with 27 doubles, three triples, 24 home
runs and 1.28 career ERA. He made 41 relief pitching appearances
in two seasons.

Nick Delgado
Outfielder 2015-17
Delgado was awarded the 2015-17 All-GSC All-Region. With a
career .361 hitter, he had 135 career runs scored (fifth in UWA his-
tory). Delgado had 50 career stolen bases, 146 singles, 35 doubles,
five triples, and seven home runs. He had 54 multi-hit games & 18
multi-RBI games. His 84 hits as a senior was 20th in the nation and
he ended his career on a 23-game hitting streak.

Fernando Gonzalez
Starting Pitcher 2014-15
Gonzalez received 2015 Rawlings/ABCA All-American, 2015
NCBWA All-American, 2015 All-Region, 2014-2015 All-GSC. He
led GSC with 10 wins in 2015. Gonzalez had a 1.96 earned run
average in 2015. Batters hit .228 against him in 2015 and he had
155 career strikeouts. He averaged 8.56 strikeouts and 2.5 walks
per nine innings pitched.

Photos: UWA Athletics

51
 Homecoming, SGA

Get on Board Day

Higher Education Day